It's pretty ambitious and the good parts are certainly very good.
The main thing I don't like is that the whole plot was geared perfectly to manoeuvre two massive fleets against each other.
And then... they just lie there. Doing nothing. While the same ships do battle that also did battle in the previous film.
It's a common complaint that AWE was too long.
I disagree. I reckon it was
too short.
There was so much content in there and the film just rushed through it all.
I would've loved to get to see Shipwreck Cove for more than a split second, for example.
Maybe get to see some personality on the Pirate Lords too; especially Sao Feng.
They're a cool bunch; and quite underused.